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Nasopharyngeal Cancers

Nasopharyngeal cancers are rare, malignant (cancerous) growths found in the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Because of their location, they are highly treatable if caught early.

Symptoms

Symptoms of nasopharyngeal cancer may include:

Lumps in the neck

Nosebleeds

Sore throat

Nasal obstruction

Changes in speaking

Other condition can also cause these symptoms, so it’s important to see a doctor right away.

Risk Factors

No one knows why cells grow out of control and form nasopharyngeal tumors. There are certain risk factors, though:

Chinese or other Asian ancestry

Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpes virus that normally causes mild symptoms and is transmitted through bodily fluids like saliva, sex, blood transfusions and organ transplants

Diagnosis

To make a diagnosis, our doctors:

Take a full medical history

Perform a complete head and neck exam

Possibly remove a small amount of the tumor during a biopsy, for further study

Potentially run lab and imaging tests, including:

X-ray

MRI

CT (CAT) scan

PET scan

Nasal endoscopy: uses a long flexible instrument (a nasal endoscope) with a light and camera, and may be combined with a biopsy

These exams and tests help the doctor determine:

The type of cancer and its stage

How aggressive it is

Whether it has spread

How best to treat it

Treatment

Treatment options for nasopharyngeal cancer depend on:

The cancer’s type and stage

The size of the tumor

Your age and overall health

Nasopharyngeal cancer is generally treated with radiation or radiation with chemotherapy. In later stages, radiation may be combined with surgery to remove lymph nodes where the cancer has spread. We also offer a number of clinical trials.

Follow-Up Care

Patients who have had nasopharyngeal cancer are at risk of developing a second head or neck cancer, and our doctors also want to catch any original cancer that might return (recur). After treatment, they will ask you to come in for regular checkups, as frequently as once a month for the first year.

Make an Appointment

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a cancer care specialist, call 855-546-1944.

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